July 2010

Monthly Archive

Saturday, 3rd July 2010

04 Jul 2010 | : Flying, Party, party, party...

Everyone was keeping their fingers crossed for good weather today. The Long Mynd BBQ was on this evening and although it was west, it looked hang glidable, but too windy for the paragliders. I was spending the day with my family and it looked breezy from early morning, so I put the Pennine lads off from coming. As we were driving over the Long Mynd, Steve Nash was flying, and far from being blown out, it was actually quite light. However, the sky was completely overcast.

Joanna, Amir, Maya and I went to the Cardingmill valley to play in the stream and have a picnic and Geoff joined us. As we were sitting there, Steve passed over us, followed shortly by Kai. The sky wasn’t that good… Kai only got to the Lawley.

We spent the afternoon trying to dam the stream, fly kites, throw stones into the water (or at me, with some encouragement by Geoff!) and then we went to the playground in the park in Church Stretton. I thought it was just a couple of swings and slides, but it has a little adventure play area, two bike/skate board parks, football pitch, etc. Maya loved it. The best bit for the adults was a surf board ride, which had me in stitches.

Then off home to prepare for the BBQ. By the time we had come back over the Long Mynd it was nearly flyable for paragliders and an hour later there were tons of PGs high and enjoying themselves. When we arrived for the party at 7.30pm, the field was full of smiling faces. Richard had built this amazing BBQ, Paul had assembled a proper DJ stand for his decks and Ellie had done an amazing job of making a nice area for the party. The atmosphere was great and everyone seemed to be having a fantastic time. Pete and Ken brought a picnic table with candles, etc. and got dressed up for the occasion, and of course, once they hit the dance floor, that really got the party started.

We left at 1am, when the crazy dancing was still going on and I have a swollen knee from all the bopping. We should do this every weekend. It was just brilliant fun!

See photos of this afternoon.

See photos of the Long Mynd BBQ.

Friday, 2nd July 2010

04 Jul 2010 | : Archery, Miscellaneous activities

A nice day, but far too windy. We went to do archery and I am settling nicely into my new bow. I really like it. We were on our own, so could shoot at our own pace and after two hours that was plenty. We headed home via the supermarket to get some last minute supplies for the family visit. My sister, brother-in-law and little niece Maya arrived in the early evening and we had a nice dinner and chat. Maya is just lovely.

Thursday, 1st July 2010

01 Jul 2010 | : Miscellaneous activities, Work

A miserable day with gales and occasional rain, but it was really warm at the same time. We didn’t bother going to archery, as it would have just been a lottery where the arrows went. Instead we did a full day’s work and caught up with some of the jobs we haven’t got round to for a while. I thought it would be a fairly boring day until Wayne texted to ask if I fancied a spin on the bike. Did I ever?

I dug out my old helmetĀ  my parents gave me for my 15th birthday, which is a decidedly retro look these days, but at least it fits. We blasted all round the back roads of Shropshire and Herefordshire, going through cute little villages I have never been through and finally stopping at a beautiful pub in the medieval village of Pembridge. It’s on the black & white village trail and full of half-timbered buildings. As soon as we sat down it started raining, but the ‘beer garden’ is under the 16th century market hall, so not a problem.

We got a bit wet on the way home, but the exhilaration of the speed and bends made me forget all that. In fact, it was a bit like being on a hang glider again. Hmmm… can I fit in another hobby? We could certainly fit a bike in the garage….

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